As soon as the Deputy CM entered the venue for drawing of lots of Haj pilgrims for free stay at Rubat at Chowmohalla Palace on Tuesday, he pulled up the IAS officer. He asked as to how he could take his own decisions without even consulting him. He said he got information through newspapers on appointment of Prof. S.A. Shukoor as incharge after the CEO, Mohammed Asadullah, went on long leave. Omer Jaleel told the Deputy CM that as the Competent Authority of Wakf Board he was empowered to appoint an incharge CEO. But Mahmood Ali did not appear convinced with Jaleel’s clarification and said that he was not being consulted although he holds the portfolio of Deputy CM.

Apparently after realising that the conversation was drawing full attention by the participants of the event, the Deputy CM softened his tone.

Interestingly, the Minorities Welfare Department does not come under Deputy CM’s purview as he holds the portfolios of Revenue, Stamps and Rehabilitation. The MWD portfolio is held by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao himself.

On an earlier occasion, the Deputy CM has expressed displeasure for being ignored by the officials. Despite being the Revenue Minister, he was not a participant in the meetings of District Collectors convened by the Chief Minister himself. (INN)